Italian Junior Alice Campanella on Fire at 2015 CDI-W Brno

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2015 CDI-W Brno

Italian Junior rider Alice Campanella and her 13-year old KWPN gelding Varisto (by Jazz x Houston) were on fire at the 2015 CDI-W Brno on 18 - 21 June 2015. By scoring a hattrick, they proved themselves ready for the 2015 European Junior Riders Championships in Vidauban, France, on 1 - 5 July 2015.

In Brno Campanella and her temperamental redhead Varisto won all three Junior riders' tests with 68.423%, 68.553%, and 71.200%. The 15-year old Italian team rider is excited for the Europeans and what lies ahead.

“This is my second year in the junior division and last year I was competing both in ponies and juniors," Alice told Eurodressage. “We made some great progress this year and the show in Brno was beautiful and very well organised. I tried to have Varisto in the form I want to have him at the Europeans. It resulted in a few mistakes, but my horse was extremely expressive."

The World Cup qualifier in Brno, Czech Republic, was the ideal preparatory event two weeks before Vidauban, with good show conditions and mild weather. The seasoned Italian youth rider, who is now heading to her fourth European Championships, prefers the hotter climate for her sensitive Jazz offspring.

"While the weather was nice in Brno, with some rain in between, it is was very cold for Varisto, because I felt him sparkling underneath me," said the rider. "Varisto has enormous potential and in Brno we scored an 8.5 for extended trot for the first time. Still you never know what to expect from him," she explained. "He is very sensitive and easily gets scared, even of his own shadow. I learned from him that every competition is a challenge and that our partnership in the ring comes with time and patience. I love his extended trot and canter, as I feel like I am flying."

Alice Campanella was the highest scoring Italian rider at the 2014 European Junior/Young Riders Championships Alice made the definite transition from ponies to juniors in 2015, even though she still had one year left. The petite high school student admits that the change from ponies to tall horses has been quite a challenge.

"Ponies seem to have one way of going, whereas horses can change from day to day," said Alice. “My mom Anna is my trainer and she also helps me with my daily riding. We have our own stable and I ride a couple of horses each day. With Varisto we mainly focus on gymnastics and his motivation to work. It is a hard job because if he knows the test he wants to do everything on his own."

Alice is honoured that at her youthful age she has been able to finalise a sponsorship agreement with one of the biggest tack companies in Italy, Pariani. As the best scoring Italian rider at the European Championships the past two years, she can now use the highest level equipment with Pariani's support.

“After the Europeans I will go to Kaposvar and then who knows. Perhaps a second horse will arrive," she said. "I dedicate these three victories in Brno to the memory of Wojtek Markowski, who in previous years has judged me here. He was one of my greatest teachers.”